Dodgers wrap up home-field advantage in 5-3 win; Rox clinch

Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez celebrates with teammates after securing a National League Wild Card berth after a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Denver. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Rockies 5-3. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER | The Colorado Rockies weren’t wet enough after spraying bubbly and beer all over each other.

So, they took the celebration outside — to the pond located behind the center-field wall.

Just having a lot of fun after clinching their first postseason spot since 2009.

On the other side, the Los Angeles Dodgers were way more subdued even after securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by beating Colorado 5-3 on Saturday night.

Special achievement, indeed, but a long ways to go.

“I’m sure every year I feel like we’re going to win the World Series. This year is no different,” Clayton Kershaw said. “We’ve had a better regular season than I’ve ever been a part of.”

Sure have. It was the Dodgers’ 103rd win of the season, the most since the team moved to Los Angeles. At 103-58, they’re assured of the best record in baseball.

Chris Taylor drove in the go-ahead run with a ground out in the seventh after reliever Tyler Chatwood (8-15) hit both Yasiel Puig and Chase Utley to start the inning. Puig finished 2 for 2 with a homer , walk and four runs.

Carlos Gonzalez hit a solo homer off Kershaw for the Rockies, who officially wrapped up the second NL wild-card spot when St. Louis rallied to beat Milwaukee earlier in the day. Gonzalez is the only player remaining from the last time the Rockies were in the playoffs.

“All we were asking for is a chance,” Gonzalez said.

Colorado will be making its fourth trip to the postseason. The Rockies travel to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, and the winner will meet Los Angeles in Game 1 of an NL Division Series on Friday at Dodger Stadium — with a rested Kershaw waiting.

The first pitch was pushed back Saturday by 21 minutes for what was called a weather delay. Only, no rain fell and the tarp was never unrolled.

The Rockies didn’t mind. They were busy celebrating in their clubhouse after watching the Cardinals record the final out. After that, they sprayed soda.

Following the game, they switched to another beverage. Leading the charge in the clubhouse was Gonzalez.

“I was spraying champagne here eight years ago and then getting the opportunity to do it again means a lot for me,” he said. “I always believed I was going to be able to stay here and celebrate with my teammates and the fans. They always show me love. That means everything for me.”

After the Rockies jumped out to a 3-1 lead on Kershaw, Puig tied it in the fifth with a two-run homer.

Kershaw’s last impression for NL Cy Young Award voters went like this: four innings, three runs, seven hits and two strikeouts. He and Max Scherzer of Washington are the front-runners for the award — Scherzer left his start Saturday with what the team called a hamstring cramp.

The left-handed Kershaw finished the regular season with an 18-4 mark and a 2.31 ERA.

Next up, the postseason.

“I’m as ready as I can be. Feel 100 percent,” Kershaw said. “Feel ready to go.”

THIS & THAT

Dodgers reliever Brandon Morrow (6-0) picked up the win. … Rockies manager Bud Black pulled most of his regulars by the middle innings. … OF Charlie Blackmon had his 68th multihit game of the season with a pair of singles.

TEXTING

Colorado’s Mark Reynolds said he texted some of his former Cardinals teammates and thanked them for beating the Brewers.

“It took a lot of pressure off us tonight,” he said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

On his 30th birthday, Kenley Jansen got the final four outs to earn his 41st save.

“Let me tell you: The best birthday present was seeing the Dodgers fans dominate the stadium today, singing happy birthday while I was pitching,” Jansen said. “That was awesome, fantastic.”

ABOUT THAT DELAY

The Dodgers were a little skeptical about the rain delay to start the game.

“Didn’t see any rain,” manager Dave Roberts said.

QUITE A SEASON

Rockies righty German Marquez gave up three runs over six innings and struck out two. He leads all major league rookies with 147 strikeouts and remains tied with teammate Kyle Freeland for wins with 11.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: The final game of the regular season will be a start by committee, with right-handed reliever Ross Stripling beginning things off. “It’s not set in stone,” Roberts said.

Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (6-6, 4.81 ERA) is 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA since his return from knee surgery.